Self-extinguishing non-explosive lamp.



no; 696,864. Patented 'Apr. 902..

'T. E. FREEMAN & T. m. HENDERSON.

SELF EXTINGUISHING NON-EXPLOSIVE LAMP.

(Application filed Sept. 4. 1901.:

(I10 Model.)

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UwrTnio STaTns PATENT FFlhClE.

THOMAS E. FREEMAN AND THOMAS MARSH HENDERSON, OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA.

SELF EXTlNGiUlSl-HNG NON=EXPLOSWE LAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 696,864, dated April 1,1902.

Application filed September 4., 1901. Serial No. 74,318. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, THOMAS E. FREEMAN and THOMAS MARsH HENDERSON, citizens of the United States, residing at Portsmouth, in the county of Norfolk and State of Virginia, have invented a certain new and useful Self- Extinguishing Non-Explosive Lamp, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying draw- 1ngs.

'This invention relates to self-extinguishing non-explosive lamps, the object in view being to provide in connection with an ordinary lamp-burner means whereby the lamp is rendered non-explosive, the means being of such character that the lamp will automatically extinguish the flame in the event of the flame communicating with the oil-space within the lamp-font and generating a gas sufficient under ordinaryconditions to cause an explosion. By means of the construction hereinafter described the excessive pressure of gas within the font will be relieved by a spring-pressed valve, which in moving outward to permit the escape of the gas will simultaneously actuate a cut-oif, the latter operating above the wick-tube and adapted to move in contact with the wick for the purpose of extinguishing the flame. The extinguishing device is also capable of being operated by hand, thus enabling the operator to extinguish the light without turning down the wick and blowing into the chimney.

With the above and other objects in View the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement hereinafter fully described, iilustrated,and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of alamp-burner embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the same. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the cut-oif and operating-link.

Similar numerals of reference designate like parts in all figures of the drawings.

The device forming the subject-matter of this invention is applicable to any of the ordinary forms of lamp-burners in use at the present time, and in the drawings we have therefore illustrated a well-known form of lamp-burner, comprising the usual body 1,

, provided with a threaded lower portion 2,

which is ordinarily screwed into the top of the font which contains the oil. The burner is also shown to comprise the usual gallery or rim 3, upon which the chimney rests, the wick-tube 4, and flame-cone 5.

In carrying out the present invention we make use of a collar 6, the lower end of which is threaded, as shown at 7, and of the same size as the portion 2 of the burner, so that by removing the burner from the font the collar 6 may be screwed into the same in place of the burneigafter which the burner maybe screwed into the collar, as shown in Fig. 2.

The collar 6 is provided at one side with a radially-extending valve-casing 8,in the outer end of which is arranged a sliding valve 9. This valve is of skeleton form or consists of an inwardly-extending series of fingers 10, with intervening spaces which will permit the gas to flow outward. The outer end of the valve consists of a disk-shaped portion 11, which normally lies snugly against the outer end of the valve-casing, as shown in Fig. 2, such outer end of the valve-casing being provided with a circumferential flange 12, forming a seat for the end or cap 11 of the valve.

The valve is held normally seated by means of a tension-spring 13, which encircles the inwardly-projecting stem 14 of the valve. Said spring at its outer end is connected permanently to the valve, while the inner end of the spring is placed in engagement with a pin or key 15, the latter being curved to lie against the inner surface of the collar 6 and being provided at one end with a lateral extension or handle 16, by means of which it may be manipulated to bring it into engagement with the coils of the spring. of the spring act as screw-threads upon the key 15 by turning the valve 9, and in this way the tension of the spring may be increased or diminished for the purpose of holding the valve 9 seated with any desired pressure.

The valve is provided upon its outer side with a lug or extension 17, to which is pivotally connected the bent end 18 of a link 19, said link being pivotally connected to the lug 17, preferably by means of a ring 20,which may constitute one link of a short operating-- The coils chain 21, the said chain being used for the purpose of extinguishing the lamp by hand when required. The link 19 extends inward through a slot or aperture in the body of the burner,where it connects pivotally at 22 with the lower and shorter arm of a cut-off lever 23, the longer and upper arm of said lever being provided with a plate 24, forming the cut-off, which is adapted to be moved across the upper end of the wick-tube and into contact with the upper end of the wick for the purpose of extinguishing the flame. The lever 23 is fulcrumed at 25 on a bracket 26, connected with the body of the burner and arranged within the flame-cone 5.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that in case flame gets into the font and ignites the gas and oil contained therein when the pressure becomes excessive it automatically unseats the'valve 9, thereby relieving the pressure and preventing an explosion. In its outward movement the valve actuates the link 19, moving the latter outward and rocking the lever 23, which has the efiect of moving the cut-off 24 over the upper end of the wick-tube, thereby extinguishing the flame. The lamp is thus rendered non-explosive and entirely automatic in action. This is also accom plished Without detracting from the ornamental appearance of the lamp, and in case it is desired to extinguish the lamp at any time it is only necessary to draw the valve 9 outward by hand, such movement of the valve imparting the necessary motion to the lever 23 to carry the cut-off into contact with the wick.

lVe do not desire to be limited to the details of construction hereinabove set forth, and accordingly reserve the right to change, modify,

or vary the construction Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

l. Aself-extinguishing non-explosive lamp, comprising a relief-valve in communication with the font, a cut-0d adapted to be moved across the wick-tube, and suitable connection between the valve and cut-off whereby the valve actuates the cut-off.

2. Aself-extinguishingnon-explosive lamp, comprising a valve in com munication with the font, a cut-off adapted to operate across the wick-tube, a cut-off lever connected therewith, and a link interposed betweensaid lever and the valve and actuated by the valve.

3. Aself-extinguishing non-explosive lamp, comprising a valve in communication with the font, a cut-off adapted to move across the wick-tube, an operative connection between the cut-off and valve, a spring for holding the Valve to its seat, and means for adjusting the tension of said spring.

4. Aself-extinguishingnon explosivelamp, comprising a valve in communication with the font, a cut-off operating across the wick-tube, an operative connection between the valve and cut-off, a valve-seating spring having one end fixedly connected to the valve, and a key engaging the coils of the spring, the arrangement being such thatby rotating the valve the coils of the spring maybe successively engaged with the key for the purpose of increasing or diminishing the tension of the spring.

5. Aself-extinguishingnon-explosivelamp, comprising a spring-seated relief-valve in communication with the font, a cut-off operating across the Wick-tube, a link pivotally connected at one end to the cut-off lever and at its opposite end to the valve, and a handoperated chain one of the links of which forms the pivotal connection between the valve and link.

In testimony whereof we aliix our signatures in presence of witnesses.

TI-IOS. E. FREEMAN. T. MARSH HENDERSON. Witnesses as to signature of Thos. E. Freeman: 

